In September 2014, Ahh... and Garden of Ideas Artistic Director, Simon Elliott signed an MoU with Chinese investors at the UK-China Bilateral Investment Conference in the Institute of Directors, London. This represented a commitment to establishing Garden of Ideas, a major new world-class cultural attraction, in China. The conference was hosted by Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt. Hon. George Osborne MP, and Mr. Ma Kai, Vice-Premier of State Council of the People’s Republic of China.

The project will attract substantial Chinese investment to British design, technology and cultural organisations.

The MoU was signed in the presence of the UK Minister for Trade and Investment, Lord Livingston of Parkhead, and the Chinese Vice-Minister of Commerce, Li Jinzao.

Sir Tim Smit of the Eden Project said, "Garden of Ideas is a new platform for ground-breaking arts, science and technology for a broad popular audience."

Artistic Director for the Garden of Ideas, Simon Elliott said, "We have drawn together an award-winning, highly experienced team to develop an intelligent, must-see, profit-making cultural destination fit for the next generation."